Register soon for the Friday night Banquet and the Saturday night Keynote. Spaces fill quickly.
The 14th Annual Carolina Mountains Literary Festival is on September 5-7, 2019 in Burnsville, NC. All day on Friday and Saturday authors give free readings and discussions reflecting this year’s theme- On The Move-stories of migration, immigration and travel. There are also evening events.
The Festival begins on Thursday night at 7:00 with a performance by Red Herring Puppets. “My Grandfather’s Prayers” is a multi-media theatrical performance based on the life of Cantor Izso Glickstein (1889-1947), a fourth-generation cantor, child prodigy, and operatic tenor. Izso toured Europe with the Hungarian Opera, was Uber- Cantor at Europe’s largest synagogue, recorded for Victor and RCA records, and mentored the young Leonard Bernstein. His story is one of survival despite the adversity of the Russian pogroms, Hungary’s White Terror, and two World Wars. He settled in Boston
where his powerful voice expressed the passion and determination of a people holding on to faith and tradition. His story is enacted by his granddaughter, professional puppeteer Lisa Sturz, using scrolling scenery, shadow puppets, marionettes, digital compositing, poetic text, and visual metaphor, while exploring her own ancestry, artistry, and spirituality. This performance is recommended for adults and mature teens. You can watch a preview of this live performance on the Festival website.
Friday night features a locally sourced, catered banquet and a talk by Andrew Lawler, author of The Secret Token- Myth, Obsession and Search for the Lost Colony of Roanoke. In 1587, men, women, and children crossed the Atlantic, landing on Roanoke Island along what is now the North Carolina Coast. By the time a resupply mission arrived three years later, they had utterly vanished. But it was not until the nineteenth century that the story of the settlers grew into unsolved mystery and widely popular myths. Come hear how this strange tale is relevant to today’s struggle to define what it means to be American. Registration is required $35 BYOB.
The Festival will end on Saturday night with Charles Frazier in Conversation with author, Elaine Neil Orr. They will discuss how the themes of this year’s festival, travel, migration and immigration apply to Frazier’s novels. Inman’s long and difficult journey home In Cold Mountain, the forced removal of the Cherokee in Thirteen Moons and Varina Davis’ flight during Reconstruction in Varina will be the focus. Registration is required $25.
An attendee said, “ I put ‘Registration begins July 1’ on my calendar now. One year I kept putting it off and everything was sold out.” So, register now.
Go to our website cmlitfest.org to see the full schedule, read author bios and register for required events.

Spaghetti Day at Sacred Heart Catholic Church located at 20 Summit Street on Friday, Sept. 6. Lunch (take out only) is at 11am – 1pm. For in town delivery (lunch only) contact Kathleen at 319-0001. Dinner (eat in or take out) 4:30pm – 6:30pm (no delivery for dinner). The cost is $12 for adults, $5 for kids ages 5-12 and kids under age five are free. Tickets available at the door. Homemade spaghetti sauce, meatballs, salad, garlic knots, dessert, and ice tea and coffee.